France refusing to face reality

The Herald reports:

A colossal turnout for nationwide protests against pension reform yesterday threatened President Nicolas Sarkozy with a long winter of discontent if he pushes ahead with plans to increase the French retirement age from 60 to 62.

Trade unions comfortably exceeded their target of mobilising two million people on the streets as a nationwide strike disrupted transport, schools, government offices and parts of the media.

In Paris, the demonstration was so large – an estimated 270,000 people, or twice the numbers of the last protest in June – that the march had to be split into two halves.

More than 100 marches across the country attracted 2.5 million people, according to union estimates.

They are complaining about 62, when Australia and other countries are moving to 67 or 68.

It is inevitable that in NZ, the age will increase from 65 also.